Valve sleeve for bags



Sept. 19, 1961 N. K. 'CHARLTON VALVE SLEEVE EoR BAGS Filed June 4. 19583,000,550 VALVE SLEEVE FOR BAGS Norman K. Charlton, Palatka, Fla.,assignor to Hudson Pulp & Paper Corp., Palatka, Fla. Filed June 4, 1958,Ser. No. 739,772 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-625) The present invention relatesto bags of the type having a valved opening through which the bag isiilled and more particularly to a ilexible sleeve attached to andforming an extension of the valve.

Paper bags having valved filling openings are in common use forpackaging bulk materials. Such bags are made of a tough and strong paperor other fibrous material, and usually have walls comprising multi-plylayers of paper to increase their strength. The bags are used forpackaging many kinds of bulk materials such as, cement, fertilizer, feedgrain, flour and the like and are filled by inserting a nozzle throughthe filling opening and blowing the material therein. When the bag hasbeen filled, the nozzle is withdrawn and the valve flaps at the sides ofthe opening are automatically closed by the material in the bag.

Valve sleeves of a relatively thin, flexible paper also have been usedto insure a tight closure of the filling opening and preventmaterialfrom sifting through the valve. Such valve sleeves are attachedto land extend beyond the valve flaps. The sleeves are usually made of asingle sheet of paper folded to form =a tube and adhesively secured tothe valve flaps. When Valve sleeves are used with bags having pastedends, the sleeve is adhesively secured between the overlapping pastedaps of the bag. One common type of sleeved valve has the outer endvofthe sleeve located at the outer end of the filling opening and theopposite end of the sleeve projecting intothe closed bag. The oppositesides of theinwardly projecting end of the sleeve of relatively thinpaper are more apt to flex into sealing engagement with each other andseal the filling opening than the valve ilaps of the thicker and stifferpaper material forming the side walls of the bag.

In order to fill a bag of the kind described, it is necessary for theattendant to spread the opposite flaps of the valve and sleeve attachedthereto before he can insert a nozzle through the filling opening. Asthe ends of the opposite sides of the sleeve overlie each other, theattendant may have difficulty in separating them and especially so if heis wearing gloves. Thus, bags having valve sleeves are sometimes anuisance in the lling operation and require the time and attention ofthe attendant.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a valve sleevein a bag of the type indicated which facilitates the separation of thevalve ilaps for the insertion of a filling nozzle.

Another object is to provide a valve sleeve of the type indicated whichprovides a double seal for reducing the possibility of any materialsifting from the bag.

Another object is to provide a valve sleeve of the type indicated inwhich one side projects beyond the other side at each end to facilitatethe insertionof a filling nozzle and provide an additional seal of thefilling opening. Still another object is to provide a valve sleeve ofthe type indicated which is of simple and compact construction,economical to manufacture and reliable in operation. These and otherobjects will become more apparent from the following description anddrawing in which like reference characters denote like parts throughoutthe several views. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawing is for thev purpose of lillustration only and is not adefinition of the limits of the invention,

Aice

2 reference being had for this purpose to the` appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a partially formed bag ofthe pasted end type and showing the relationship of the end and sideflaps;

FIGURE Z is a perspective view of a valve sleeve of two piececonstruction having offset ends;

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the valve sleeve inposition on the inwardly folded end flap of the bag; j

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIGURE 3 to show theoffset relationship of the ends of the upper and lower par-ts of thesleeve; Y

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 showing the side flaps of the bagfolded into overlying relationship and the forwardly projecting edge ofthe upper part of the valve sleeve;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the closed bag partly in section toshow how the nozzle is inserted through the sleeve to fill the bag; andf FIGURE 7 is a sectional through an end of the filled bag to show thedouble seal of the valve sleeve With the bottom of the bag and oppositeside of the sleeve, respectively.

FIGURE 1 illustrates la conventional bag 10 ofthe pasted end type towhich the sleeve of the present invention is applied. Such a bag is madefrom aV single sheet or a plurality of sheets of paper by conventionalmachines which fold' the opposite edge portions of the sheet or sheetsinto overlapping relationship and adhesively secures the overlappingedges to form a continuous tube. T he paper tube so formed is foldedflat and sections of the tube corresponding to the length of the bags tobe formed are severed successively from the tube. The opposite ends ofeach severed bag section are then cut, folded, and 'pasted to formclosed boxed ends which fold against the side of the bag. In theillustrated embodiment the bag 10 is a multiwall type comprising aplurality of superimposed layers of paper. Y

The end structure `at each end of the bag is formed by cutting the wallon spaced lines extending axially from each end of the tube to formopposite side flaps 11 and 12 and end flaps 13. Only one end ilap cl3 isillustrated in FIGURE 1, but it will be understood that a similar endflap is provided at the opposite side of the bag. As will be observed byreference Ito FIGURE 1, the different plies 14, 15 and 16 of themulti-ply bag wall are out at progressively shorter lengths from theouter to the inner plies on the flap 12 to provide a tapered flap.`Also, the

Vends of the tube are so cut and the end flap 13 so folded inwardly on aline below the ends of the cuts forming the flaps 11, 12 and 13 as toprovide short folds 17 and 18 at each side of the end flap 13 whichoverlie the side flaps 11 and 12 and provided inclined folded edgesextending from the corners of the end flap to the edgesrof the sideflaps 11 and 12. Thus, when the side ilaps 11, and 12 are folded on thelines 19. and 20 to overlie the end ilap 13 in overlapping relationshipthe short folds 17 and 18 on the end flaps which fold inwardly with theside ilaps provide webbed corners to prevent material from siftingtherefrom.

Bands of adhesive paste 25 and 26 are applied across the flaps 11 and 12and bands of adhesive 27, 28 and 29 are applied to the edges of each ofthe plies 14, 15 and 16 along the ilap 12. A band of adhesive 30V alsois applied across the end flap 13 inwardly of the bands` 25 and 26 onaps 11 and 12. Thus, when the ap 1.1 is folded Overthe iiap 13 and theflap 12 is folded ,over the iiap 11, the bands of adhesive 25 to 30 onthe respective Patented Sept. 19;, 1961-- flaps engage adjacent iiaps toseal them together in a partial diamond fold closure, as illustrated inFIGURE 5. With such an end closure construction, the material in the bagis prevented from sifting between the overlying pasted flaps 11, 12 and13 and the short folds y17 and 13 on the end flap 13 overlying the sideflap 17 andV 18 prevents sifting of the material at the corners.

In accordance with the present invention a sleeve 32 of thin, flexiblematerial is provided between the end ap 13 and overlying side iiaps 11and 12 at one corner of the bag. The sleeve 32, as illustrated in FIGURE2, has opposite sides 33 and 34 so formed as to provide a continuoustubular liner between the overlapping flaps 11, 12 and 13 to which it isattached by the adhesive bands 25, 26 and 30. One of the opposite sides33 and 34 of the sleeve 32 extends beyond the other side at least at oneend of the sleeve. Preferably, the side 33 of the sleeve 32 adjacent theflapv 11 extends beyond the side 34 adjacent the flap 1-3 to provide anoutwardly projecting tab 35 adapted to be easily grasped by the ngersindependently of the side 34, and the side 34 adjacent the nap 13.projects beyond the end of the side 33 to provide an extension 36 forsealing engagement with the ap 11.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sides 33 and 34 comprise separatesheets of the same length, but offset from each other. Thus, they endforming the finger gripping tab 35 of the sheet 33 projects beyond theend 37 of the sheet 34 and the end forming the extension 36 of sheet 34projects beyond the end 38 of the sheet 33. Sheet 34 is of a widthcorresponding to the width o-f the valved opening, but sheet 33 is ofgreater width with its side edges 39 and 40 folded over the side edgesof the sheet 34 to form a unitary sleeve 32. The assembled sleeve units32 of oifset sheets 33 and 34 are `adapted to be fed between the closureflaps 11 and 13 of parti-ally formed bags by sleeve feeding apparatus asdisclosed in the pending application for United States Letters Patent ofGeorge W. Mossor, Serial No. 676,342, tiled August 5, 195-7. Therearwardly projecting extension 36 of sheet 34 is also slitlongitudinally at 41 to increase its flexibility.

The sleeve 32, illustrated -in FIGURE 2, is positioned on the inwardlyfolded end ap 13, as illustrated in FIG- URE 3, so that the end of sheet34 overlies the band of adhesive 30 with the finger gripping tab 35 ofthe sheet 33 projecting forwardly beyond its end 37. Thus, when the flip1,1 is fol-ded downwardly from the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 tothat illustrated in FIGURE 5, the band of adhesive 25 thereon willoverlie the sheet 33 of the sleeve 32 to seal the sleeve between it andthe end flap 13. When the side ap 14 is folded over the side ap 11 thebands of adhesive 26, 27, 28 and 29 rwill lattach the iiaps together andthe sleeve 32 therebetween to complete the closure of the end of thebag, as illustrated in FIG- URE 5. The sleeve 32 projects inwardlybeyond the end of the ap 13 and the extension 36 of sheet 34 projectsinwardly beyond the end 38 of the sheet 33. The inwardly projecting endsof the relatively thin paper sheets 33 and 34 ex into contactingengagement with each other independently of the aps 11 and 13 -to whichthey are attached and themselves forming valve flaps.

The separate sheets 33 `and 34 of the sleeve 32 thus provide an openingthrough which ya filling nozzle 42 can be inserted, as illustrated inFIGURE 6. Furthermore, it will be observed in FIGURES 4, `and 6 that theforwardly projecting end of sheet 33 of sleeve i32 for-ming the fingergripping tab 35 projects outwardly beyond the edges of the overlappingbag aps 11 and 13 to facili-tate engagement by the attendant and thespreading of the flaps for the insertion of the filling nozzle 42. Itwill also be observed by reference to FIGURES 4, 5, 6 and 7 that thesheet 34 of sleeve 32 engages the sheet 313 at 43 to close the openingand that the flexible extension 36 engages the flaps l11 and 12 at 44 toprovide a double seal. YOne form of the invention having now beendescribed in detail, the mode of operation is explained as follows:

Assuming for the purposes of description that the bag 10'has been formedin the manner explained with the sleeve 32 positioned between and pastedto the flaps 11, 12 and y13, as illustrated in FIGURE 5. When the bag 10is to be lled, the attendant grasps the forwardly projecting tab edge 35of the sleeve 32 and lifts it upwardly to spread it from the other sheet36 attached to the ap 19. Because of the forwardly projecting tab 35,the attendant does not have to separate the edge of sheet 33 from sheet34. The filling nozzle 42 is then inserted in the filling openingbetween the sheets 33 and 34 of the sleeve 32, as illustrated in FIGURE6.

The material is then blown into `the closed bag until it has beenfilled. After the bag has been iilled,y the nozzle 42 is withdrawn. Whenthe iilled bag 10 is turned from its upright position, the contents fallagainst the flap 13 and force it against the aps .11 and- 12 to closethe opening therebetween. Also the weight of the material acting on theportion of the sheet 34 of sleeve 32 extending beyond ap 13 forces itinto sealing engagement with the sheet 33, as indicated at 43 in FIGURE7, tot further seal the opening. As the sheets 33 and 34 of sleeve 32are thin and flexible, they readily conform to the shape of theoverlapping naps 11 and 12 to at all times maintain a seal. Furthermore,the extension 36. of the sheet 34 which projects beyond the edge 38 ofthe sheet 33 engages the flaps 17 and 18 to make an vadditional seal, asindicated at 44 in FIGURE 7, with the end of the bag. Thus, the sleeve32 provides a double seal, one with the end flaps 11 and `12 of the bag10 and the other bet-Ween the sheets 33 land 34- of the sleeve. The slit41 in the extending portion 36 provides additional flexibility to insuresealing engagement.

It will now be observed that the present invention provides a valvesleeve construction in a bag which facilitates the separation of thevalved ilaps for the insertion of a filling nozzle. It will also beobserved that the sleeve of the present invention provides a double sealto prevent material from sifting from the bag. It will still further beobserved that the present invention provides a sleeve of simple andcompact construction which may be economically manufactured and onewhich is reliable in operation.

While a single embodiment of the invention is herein illustrated anddescribed, it will be understood that changes may be made in theconstruction and arrangement of elements without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limitation in thisrespect, the invention is `deiined by the following claims.

I claim:

l. A pasted-end bag having a tubular wall, at least one end of thetubular wall of said bag being folded at opposite sides to provideinwardly extending inner flaps, and outer flaps folded one over theother and over the inner flaps in generally parallel planes, the outeroverlapping iiaps being pasted to each other and cooperating with atleast one inner flap to provide a valve opening therebetween throughwhich material is delivered to the interior of the bag, said inner flapforming a valve for closing the valve opening, a valve sleeve betweenthe overlapping pasted flaps and inner valve ap and pasted thereto, saidvalve sleeve having an outer portion and an inner portion with the innersurface of each portion being continuous and without seams and extendingthroughout the entire width of the inner valve ilap to provide a tubularliner in the valve opening, and the inner portion of the sleeve adjacentthe inner valve flap extending into the bag beyond the inner edgethereof and beyond the inner edge of the outer portion of the sleevethroughout the entire width of the latter to engage the outeroverlapping aps of the bag and provide a double seal between the twoportions of the sleeve and between the sleeve and pasted overlappingouter flaps, respectively, and the outer portion of the sleeve adjacentthe pasted overlapping outer ilaps extending outwardly from the valveopening beyond the outer edge of the inner portion of the sleeve toprovide -a nger grip for the sleeve at the outside of the bag.

2. A bag in accordance with claim 1 in which the inner and outerportions of said valve sleeve comprise separate sheets of the samelengthand oiset lengthwise so that the sheet adjacent the inner flapprojects into the bag beyond the other sheet to engage the pastedoverlapping outer flaps, and the other sheet of the sleeve projectsbeyond the edge of the first sheet to provide the nger grip at theoutside of the bag.

3. A bag in accordance With claim 2 in which one of the sheets of thevalve sleeve is wider than the other sheet and folded over the sideedges thereof to form a unitary sleeve.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Reaneyetal. Aug. 2A, 1909 Rosmait May 12, 1936 Dubois Dec. 21, 1937 CrawfordIan. 27, 1942 Crawford Mar. 10, 1942 Haugen Dec. 29, 1942 CountrymanJune 12, 1945 Lee Jan. 1, 1946 Grosset et al. Sept. 4, 1956 Landell Oct.29, 1=957 FOREIGN PATENTS France Ian. 3, 1956

